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(MD or DO)

• Two types of programs— (M.D.) and osteopathic medicine (D.O.)—train to become . The credentials, training, jobs, and available specialties are the same for both. • Allopathic and osteopathic physicians use a biological approach to healing. Physicians diagnose, treat, and work to prevent illness and . • They perform examinations, analyze medical histories, order and interpret diagnostic tests and develop treatment plans. • Allopathic and osteopathic physicians are very similar in their approach to working with and the differences between them are more historical than current practice. • The osteopathic approach is -oriented and uses a holistic approach to care. Osteopathic medicine also incorporates a treatment modality—Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM)—which is a form of musculo-skeletal manipulation that is used both for diagnosis and treatment. • MDs and DOs practice in all the same specialties. The system has now been combined. • Purdue is one of nine locations for the Indiana University School of Medicine. The main campus is in Indianapolis. Marian University houses Indiana’s only osteopathic in Indianapolis. & Licensure • You should complete a bachelor’s degree in a major of interest to you along with necessary prerequisite courses (below). • Medical school is a four-year program followed by on-the-job training (residency) which lasts 3-7 years depending on . Subspecialization is accomplished through fellowships following the residency which can last several more years. • MDs and DOs are licensed nationally and by the state in which they practice. • Physicians must also pass board exams for certification in specialty areas. Preparation • Observe physicians to make sure this is the right field for you and that you truly understand what it means to be an allopathic or osteopathic . Gaining additional volunteer or work experience in clinical settings is valuable to understanding healthcare delivery. • Medical schools will want to see you can handle a heavy load while being active in extracurricular activities, providing community service, and gaining medical experience. • While each medical school determines the courses it will require, the required courses are relatively standard and similar to the list below. The sequence you take will depend on your major. • Many schools require a minimum grade of a C in all required courses. • Other than , which is one semester and does not require a lab, the requirements are typically 8-10 credit hours with two of those hours being lab.

Common Prerequisite Courses (required courses determined by each medical school but similar to this list) Requirements Purdue Equivalents (specific courses may vary by major) General with lab BIOL 11000-11100 or BIOL 13100 & BIOL 23100 & 23200 (lab) or BIOL 23000 & BME 20500 (lab) & upper level biology (including 2 hours of lab) & (recommended BIOL 20300-20400 (BIOL 30100-30200) for the MCAT) General with lab CHM 11500-11600 or CHM 12500-12600 or CHM 12300-12400 or CHM 13600 or CHM 12901 (CHM 11500 credit exam recommended along with CHM 12901) Organic Chemistry with lab CHM 25500-25600 or CHM 26100-26200 or CHM 26505-26605 or MCMP 20400-20500 Biochemistry BCHM 30700 or BCHM 56100 or CHM 33900 or CHM 43300 or MCMP 20800 (CHM 33300, CHM 53300) with lab PHYS 22000-22100 or PHYS 23300-23400 or PHYS 17200-27200 or PHYS 17200 & 24100 (may need 1 hr lab such as PHYS 25200) or ENGR 16100-16200* English (if required usually need 2 ENGL 10600 or ENGL 10800 or SCLA 10100*; plus another English course with strong writing semesters) component (either writing or ) (1 semester) PSY 12000 (1 semester) SOC 10000 or higher level sociology course ( is also acceptable) (recommended) A course in statistics is recommended Pre-Med Planning Seminar BIOL 39600 is a 0 credit 10 week class covering how to apply to medical school and other (optional) programs *Ask individual medical schools if they will accept these courses toward their requirements; Courses no longer offered. Organizations: American Medical Student Association, Caduceus Club Program Information Resources MD Programs Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) available online for an annual fee ($28 for 1 year, $36 for 2 years) https://store.aamc.org/medical-school-admission-requirements-msar-for-u-s-and-canadian-medical-schools-online.html DO Programs U.S. Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine https://choosedo.org/us-colleges-of-osteopathic-medicine/ Choose DO Explorer Searchable Database is also available for free https://choosedo.org/explorer/ Applying • Medical programs are competitive. Schools look for well-rounded students with interesting experiences. • Competitive applicants have: o Strong academic performance including a grade point average (GPA) of 3.6 or better o High scores on the MCAT (508 and above for MD and 505 and above for DO) o Leadership, teamwork, and skills o Undergraduate research experience o Volunteer and shadowing experiences o Strong positive letters of recommendation (mostly from ) • Students apply for MD programs through an online application system called AMCAS; DO programs through AACOMAS; and Texas programs through TMDSAS. • AMCAS, TMDSAS, AACOMAS all open in May and should be submitted in June or July for best results. • Many factors will influence where you choose to apply. You do need to include the public school(s) where you are an in-state resident as this is often your best chance of admission.

Fee Assistance

• MCAT & AMCAS Fee Assistance through the AAMC https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/applying- medical-school-process/fee-assistance-program/ • AACOM Financial Aid and Scholarships https://www.aacom.org/become-a-doctor/financial-aid-and-scholarships • AACOMAS Fee Assistance Waiver https://www.aacom.org/become-a-doctor/how-to-apply-to-osteopathic-medical- college/application-fee-waiver Employment Outlook • The government projects shortages of doctors in the next 30 years. physicians are especially in demand. • While income varies by specialty, location, and hours worked, the median income for all MDs and DOs is about $208,000. Job growth in medicine is expected to grow 4% by 2029, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physicians-and-surgeons.htm.

Diversity Matters The medical needs physicians who look just like you, and who share your experiences. Race and ethnicity, LGBTQ+ identity, disability, age, geographic region, socioeconomic status, social and cultural identity, and nationality add to a richer experience for all students in the medical school classroom, contribute to the medical profession, and ultimately lead to better outcomes for patients.

Programs in Indiana • Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, IN https://medicine.iu.edu/md • Marian University College of Osteopathic Med Indianapolis, IN https://www.marian.edu/osteopathic-medical-school More Information • Association of American Medical Colleges https://www.aamc.org/ (includes info on AMCAS, MCAT, MSAR) • American Medical Association https://www.ama-assn.org/ • American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine https://www.aacom.org/ (includes links to AACOMAS) • American Osteopathic Association https://osteopathic.org/ • TMDSAS (for applications in Texas) https://www.tmdsas.com/ Other Careers to Consider ∙ ∙ Anesthesiologist Assistant ∙ · Chiropractor Preparing for your Giant Leap purdue.edu/preprofessional